Friday Wrap-Up: This Week in B2B Marketing Tips

1. Why Boston is Just About the Greatest Place to be Next Week

Okay, so not a post. But, if you're looking for marketing tips, the opportunity to meet and talk with some really smart people, as well as catch the sights in a fairly historically significant piece of real estate, Boston just might be the place to go. Both DMA and Marketo are hosting events in the City on a Hill next week, and each offer a great opportunity to sharpen your craft and network. If you have the time, DMA2011 starts tomorrow and goes through next Thursday. For a shorter trip, check out Marketo's Revenue Rockstar Tour on Tuesday. We'll be at both shows talking about a great new product, ReachForce SmartForms, as well as offering two chances to get a full Formula 1 experience.

2. 3 Lead Scoring Problems – And How to Solve Them

Chances are, if you’re like most marketers you’ve been down this rabbit hole more than once. Because developing a well-defined lead scoring system presents unique (and seemingly relentlessly shifting) challenges, getting it right is often maddeningly difficult to do. Eloqua’s Jesse Noyes (courtesy of Randy Ilas, Vice President of Product Development & Marketing at Harte-Hanks) provides a nice snapshot of common issues marketers face when working to create a useful, impactful scoring system for their leads and pointers on how to address them: 3 Lead Scoring Problems – And How to Solve Them

4. How Marketing Automation will Need to Evolve to Survive

Here you’ll find an interesting post about the next phase of marketing automation and just how much buying behavior is changing the game. From the location of lead activity to the technology your prospects use to avoid your message, Brian Solis (courtesy of HubSpot) breaks down essential considerations you should be thinking about if marketing automation is to remain useful. How Marketing Automation will Need to Evolve to Survive

5. Are You Weird Enough to Succeed at Online Marketing?

Looking for a great lunchtime diversion? Copyblogger’s Brian Clark, Sonia Simone, and Robert Bruce examine weirdness, marketing, and Seth Godin – all through the lens of Wonderbread and Donna Summer (to name only a few). Enjoy: Are You Weird Enough to Succeed at Online Marketing?